Synclidopus hogani, a new species of soleid fish from northeastern Queensland, Australia

Synclidopus hogani is described as a new soleid fish from the Daintree River, northeastern Queensland. It differs from its single known congener, S. macleayanus, in having a lower median lateral-line scale count (87-97 versus 94-113), a distinctive colouration, which includes about 22-26 highly irregular, mostly discontinuous, transverse brown bands across the head and body, and three longitudinal rows of large dark brown spots, as well as a much smaller maximum size. The new species appears to be highly restricted in distribution and prefers tidal lower freshwater reaches of the river. It has not been recorded during numerous surveys of the Daintree estuary, surrounding coastal waters, or other estuarine or freshwater systems of northeastern Queensland. Synclidopus Chabanaud is redefined to include an important distinguishing feature of a free fleshy sheath that covers the anterior half of the lower jaw and the lower lip on the blind side.